Pow wow field trip answers elementary school questions

Around 400 students visited the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville on Friday for a sample of the annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow. Mu Roberts (left), of Ada Oklahoma, dances with Avoyelles Parish elementary students during the field trip opportunity offered by the Pow Wow committee.(Photo: Miranda Quartemont/mquartemon@thetowntalk.com)

Teachers like Michelle Daigrepont, from Sacred Heart School in Moreauville, count on hearing that question every year during a field trip that has become a tradition for many Avoyelles Parish elementary schools.

Before the official start of the annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow in Marksville, the tribe offers local schools a chance to sample the music, dance and other festivities the weekend holds.

This year, around 400 kids from Avoyelles and other parishes on Friday visited the Earl J. Barbry, Sr. Convention Center at the Paragon Casino Resort, the site of the 2015 Pow Wow. Singers, dancers and "legend keepers" in colorful regalia greeted the busloads of children who got a sneak peek of what the weekend would hold.

Pow Wow Chairman John Barbry explained to the group that the event's committe wanted to give them a taste of authentic Native American culture.

Around 400 students visited the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville on Friday for a sample of the annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow. Terri Richard (left) talks to students about her collection of Native American objects during the field trip opportunity offered by the Pow Wow committee.(Photo: Miranda Quartemont/mquartemon@thetowntalk.com)

The first item on the agenda was a lineup of traditional Native American dancers who travel from all over the U.S. and Canada for the Pow Wow. Some come early every year just for the kids. Teri Richard was one who traveled from New Orleans with her husband, Larry. They have been regulars at the Pow Wow since it started.

Richard is a former educator, so, she loves being there for the field trip. She knows from being a teacher what they do will leave a lasting impression.

"They (students) remember the field trips," Richard said.

Daigrepoint said the students always leave talking about the dancing. Richard noticed the wide eyes of children watching, too.

"You can see they are just mesmerized by it," Richard said.

Around 400 students visited the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville on Friday for a sample of the annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow. Rowena Roberts (middle) of Ada Oklahoma, dances with Avoyelles Parish elementary students during the field trip opportunity offered by the Pow Wow committee.(Photo: Miranda Quartemont/mquartemon@thetowntalk.com)

During the "friendship song," kids were even invited to join hands and dance with the tribe members.

This weekend the Pow Wow, typically held on the tribe's grounds in Marksville, was moved indoors because of road construction on the reservation. Although the event itself offers plenty of learning opportunities, Barbry said they try to do more when just the kids come.

Some of those things included storytellers, who shared legends of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe.

Tom "Strong Buffalo" Varnado had some stories of his own to share. He came and "set up camp" to provide a look at how Indian tribes used to live. A teepee, furs, tools and games were all part of Varnado's demonstration.

Around 400 students visited the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville on Friday for a sample of the annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow. Tom “Strong Buffalo” Varnado talks to students about Indian customs and traditions during the field trip opportunity offered by the Pow Wow committee.(Photo: Miranda Quartemont/mquartemon@thetowntalk.com)

Richard also set up what she likes to call a "touch museum." She's done educational outreach for years with her collection of native objects. Kids came by her table, filled with jewelry, apparel, baskets and other handmade items, full of questions.